At the Gate - Friday

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At the Gate - Friday


After starting the week roughly on Wednesday, we rebounded nicely yesterday, with four winners on top on the nine race card, good for a +67% +ROI for the day.



Among my top picks yesterday was Jazz Hands ($10.80), who I fully expected would get bet down from his 7/2 morning in the finale on the card.



Instead he drifted up slightly, which turned out well as the race was rated as my strongest play ($$$$), which was the first top rated race I have posted for a couple of weeks.



We knocked down the exacta for $33.00 but failed to connect on the trifecta.




It?s not often we see a champion run in an allowance race on a Friday card, but that?s what we get today with Midshipman, last year?s top two year old.



The Godolphin runner makes his first start since winning the Breeders? Cup Juvenile (G1) last fall at Santa Anita in today?s third race.



Today?s race will be his first start on conventional dirt, and despite his lofty reputation and just a six-horse field, he is actually just the third choice on the morning line.



The morning line favorite is Storm Play, a four-year-old colt coming back off a layoff for trainer Todd Pletcher.



The colt won his first three career starts including the Best of Luck Stakes at Aqueduct last October.



The second choice on the morning line is Just Ben, who used a speed favoring racing strip to beat optional claimers last out at Saratoga.



I ended up going with the champion Midshipman, who certainly has been working like he will take to real dirt this afternoon, although I doubt we are going to see his 3/1 morning line.





Here is today's opening race from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:



BEL Race 1 Alw $44,000N1X (1:00 ET)

#4 Inherit the Gold 5/2

#6 Slevin 8/5

#3 Whirlwind Poppy 8/1

#1 Summer Share 4/1



Analysis: #4 Inherit the Gold checked in second as the beaten chalk over a sloppy main track at the Spa going nine furlongs. The gelding did earn a career top in the effort and the cut back here to a one-turn mile figures to suit. The gelding still seems to have some upside potential in just his sixth career start while our second choice seems to be caught in second gear with all those runner up finishes recently.



#6 Slevin was beaten just a neck last out in the NY bred Albany, 5 1/4 lengths clear of the rest of the field. Three straight seconds in stakes company and now he drops back in to the Alw-1 ranks should make him the play, the price is going to be light and he could regress off that career top.



Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 2/1 or better.

EX: 4,6 / 1,3,4,6

TRI: 4,6 / 1,3,4,6 / 1,3,4,5,6



Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:



BEL Race 8 OClm $75,000N3X (4:45 ET)

#6 Yield Bogey 6/1

#5 Duveen 8/1

#4 Inca King 7/2

#7 Fluke 2/1



Analysis: #6 Yield Bogey gets the call and I am hoping this guy gets overlooked on the tote after finishing behind a couple of these last out at this level. The gelding set the early fractions before weakening to finish fourth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths for the top spot. Two and three back this guy was in Grade 3 company after passing his second allowance condition over the turf here four back at seven furlongs. His three wins have come from sitting off the pace, and with other speed in here I am hoping Samyn decides to sit off the pace here.



#5 Duveen is a multiple Grade 3 winner making his second start off a 14-month layoff. The five year old was the beaten fav last out in JJ, checking in fourth, beaten 3 3/4 lengths for the top spot. The third place finisher Classic Campaign came back to beat $50K claimers at the Spa on Sept. 4. He came back with two works since his last start, which looks encouraging, and worth tossing in the mix here if he goes off near his 8/1 ML. Gray is a former assistant to Dale Romans.



Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 4/1 or better.

EX: 5,6 / 4,5,6,7

TRI: 5,6 / 4,5,6,7 / 1,4,5,6,7



Live Longshots:

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.



Belmont Park

R1: #3 Whirlwind Poppy 8/1

R2: #7 Maggie?s Miracle 12/1

R3: #5 Knights Cross 10/1

R4: #5 Triple Tax Exempt 10/1

R6: #5 Treat Her right 8/1

R7: #8 Freight Forward 8/1

R8: #5 Duveen 8/1

R9: #6 Devilishameye 20/1



Good luck today!

 

[Lumi]

RICHARD ENG: Wise leadership needed to restore Santa Anita

RICHARD ENG: Wise leadership needed to restore Santa Anita

RICHARD ENG: Wise leadership needed to restore Santa Anita

At some point in the near future, Santa Anita Park will have a new owner. Let's pray that it isn't old owner Frank Stronach. When Stronach formed Magna Entertainment and began buying up racetracks, and started XpressBet and HRTV, he looked like a winner.

Over time, Stronach has proven that leading with your heart and passion isn't enough. It also takes equal parts brain and bankroll to succeed. At times Stronach's decision-making makes it seem he uses Al Davis and Donald Sterling for counsel.

Now don't get me wrong, I love Santa Anita. I spent three of the best years of my life there. But getting the "Great Race Place" turned around will take extraordinary ownership with deep pockets.

On my dream wish list are two groups that would make good caretakers of the historic Arcadia track. First, would be a leading California Indian tribe that would promise to maintain top-class horse racing in a trade-off with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to install thousands of slot machines.

Schwarzenegger does not have the resources for a horse racing bailout. But he made an offer of badly needed slot revenue with a byproduct of helping an ailing horse industry; it is a win-win scenario.

A second group would be another long shot, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum of Dubai. There are logical reasons for this, too.

Sheikh Mohammed will open the brilliant new Meydan Race Course in January 2010. The centerpiece of the racing will be the Dubai World Cup on March 27. The success of the meet is predicated on top American horses showing up. What better way to recruit talent than to own and operate the best American racetrack that also runs at that time of year, Santa Anita?

Another underlying reason is the track surface. Sheikh Mohammed is committed to installing an all-weather synthetic surface inside Meydan's massive turf course. If Jess Jackson, owner of Rachel Alexandra, mirrors other U.S. horse owners, that's not good for Meydan.

If Jackson stays true to his word of avoiding synthetic tracks, Rachel won't be going to Dubai, and neither will many other U.S. horses. Might Sheikh Mohammed want to take over Santa Anita and stamp his own footprint on American racing?

Whatever happens, the Santa Anita franchise must be restored. It'll take strong ownership and wise leadership. Look at the New York Yankees. They were down and out for nearly a decade until 1973 when George Steinbrenner took over. It shows greatness can be rebuilt.

 

[Lumi]

Post Experts Pick the Winners Belmont

Post Experts Pick the Winners Belmont

Post Experts Pick the Winners Belmont

 

[Lumi]

Belmont AnalysisPost Time: 1:00 p.m. All horses appear in post position order

Belmont AnalysisPost Time: 1:00 p.m. All horses appear in post position order

Belmont Analysis Post Time: 1:00 p.m. All horses appear in post position order

Today's analysis.

1. 1 mile; $44,000; alw; 3up

SLEVIN drops to allowance after closing to finish second in stakes in last three starts. PEGASIAN closed to finish third while going shorter two back in last dirt start. INHERIT THE GOLD closed to finish second in the slop in an off the turf race.

PN Horse Wt. Jockey Last 3 Trainer Odds
1 Summer Share(L),116 C Velasquez 3-8-2 Bush 4-1
2 Jaystone(L),116 M Studart 6-9-5 Persaud 12-1
3 Whirlwind Poppy(L),119 J Leparoux 1-6-4 Maker 8-1
4 Inherit the Gold(L),116 R Maragh 2-6-2 Baker 5-2
5 Pegasian(L),120 J Lezcano 5-3-4 Serpe 6-1
6 Slevin(L),116 J Castellano 2-2-2 Domino 8-5
7 Coaltown Legend(L),120 R Rodriguez 5-5-8 Feron 20-1

2. 6 fur; $22,000; clm($20,000); 3up(f)

IMTHEQUEENOFQUEENS drops in class for return to dirt and switches to Dominguez. She finished fourth in last start on dirt. MAGGIE'S MIRACLE drops in class for return to dirt and state-bred competition. LEADER OF THE LITE adds blinkers and faces conditioned claimers for the first time.

PN Horse Wt. Jockey Last 3 Trainer Odds
1 Mocha Shake(L),110 J Medina 9-8-7 Lotruglio 30-1
2 Cugatcha(L),117 J Chavez 9-7-5 Jablow 10-1
3 Jet On Home(L),117 C Velasquez 6-1-4 Domino 5-1
4 Imthequeenofqueens(L),117 R Dominguez 4-7-4 Albertrani 2-1
5 Stratton's Girl(L),119 R Maragh 5-6-1 Terranova 6-1
6 We're Hooked(L),117 A Garcia 9-8-7 Rice 3-1
7 Maggie's Miracle(L),121 M Luzzi 3-6-8 Galluscio 12-1
8 Leader of the Lite,121 J Velazquez 7-8-9 Streicher 6-1

3. 6 1/2 fur; $49,000; alw; 3up

JUST BEN drew the rail after a gate to wire victory in first start for new barn. STORM PLAY adds Lasix and working well for seasonal debut for new barn. MIDSHIPMAN working well for new barn and first start since winning the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

PN Horse Wt. Jockey Last 3 Trainer Odds
1 Just Ben(L),119 R Dominguez 1-6-1 Tagg 9-5
2 Midshipman(L),116 R Migliore 1-2-1 bin Suroor 3-1
3 Unbridled Danger(L),120 J Espinoza 6-4-5 Young 20-1
4 More Than a Reason(L),120 R Maragh 2-9-2 Persaud 10-1
5 Knights Cross(L),120 C Velasquez 4-9-3 Kenneally 10-1
6 Storm Play,120 J Velazquez 6-1-1 Pletcher 8-5

4. 1 1/16m(T); $44,000; alw; 3up(f)

UNIQUE CITIZEN closed well at Saratoga at this distance and level two back. SMART TRADE returns to route after chasing the pace and tiring in first off the claim. I'M YOUR LADY came off the pace to defeat conditioned claimers at Saratoga.

PN Horse Wt. Jockey Last 3 Trainer Odds
1 Unique Citizen(L),119 J Espinoza 8-5-7 POrtiz 8-1
2 Robyn's Prada(L),117 J Chavez 3-6-7 Contessa 12-1
3 Sonic Sound(L),119 J Lezcano 2-5-2 Baker 2-1
4 Classofsixtythree(L),117 R Maragh 1-3-5 Sciacca 12-1
5 Triple Tax Exempt(L),120 R Dominguez 1-6-5 Domino 10-1
6 I'm Your Lady(L),117 E Coa 1-2-1 CJohnson 7-2
7 French Song(L),119 J Samyn 3-4-5 Sedlacek 20-1
8 Smart Trade(L),117 J Leparoux 7-1-2 Maker 4-1
9 Fourth Chapter(L),119 J Castellano 5-4-4 Iselin 10-1

5. 6 fur; $15,000; clm($10,000); 3up

COME SOON drew the rail and drops in class after closing to finish second at this distance. TIMBER CRUISE came off the pace to win this distance and level at Monmouth. MITCHELL PARK drops in class after tiring in the mud this distance.

PN Horse Wt. Jockey Last 3 Trainer Odds
1 Come Soon(L),120 J Castellano 2-12-1 DiPrima 3-1
2 Distant Point(L),120 J Chavez 7-8-4 Contessa 5-1
3 Good Going Darl(L),120 R Maragh 5-9-9 Stoklosa 8-1
4 Timber Cruise(L),120 C Velasquez 1-2-1 Jacobson 4-1
5 Rare Cut(L),116 R Rodriguez 2-1-1 Campo 5-1
6 Mitchell Park(L),116 R Fuentes 8-4-9 Ronen 8-1
7 Figgy's Freud(L),116 M Luzzi 9-10-1 Galluscio 12-1
8 Go Lex Go(L),113 J Medina 1-9-7 Ferraro 15-1
9 Karakorum On Black,116 S Morales 5-8-6 Odintz 10-1

6. 7 fur(T); $22,000; clm($25,000); 3up(f)

GOLDEN ARTEMIS went out to a lengthy lead and then tired in starter allowance on turf two back. CREMA D'ORO drops in class after a wide trip and running evenly in turf debut. TREAT HER RIGHT cuts back in distance after tiring in most recent.

PN Horse Wt. Jockey Last 3 Trainer Odds
3 John's Jean(L),121 J Samyn 10-4-7 Sciacca 30-1
1 a-Seven in a Row,121 E Coa 4-5-6 Lostritto 4-1
4 Tooralooracollora(L),121 J Velazquez 5-6-9 Hills 6-1
5 Treat Her Right(L),117 J Castellano 6-8-7 CMartin 8-1
6 Kaleidoscope Sky(L),119 K Desormeaux 6-1-3 Hough 8-1
7 Golden Artemis(L),117 J Chavez 7-7-5 Contessa 9-2
8 Proud Diva(L),117 J Lezcano 4-1-3 Ryerson 20-1
9 Flying Sappho(L),121 R Maragh 2-6-4 Corrao 6-1
10 Dear Contender,121 R Fuentes 5-5-3 Toscano 20-1
11 Crema d'Oro(L),117 A Garcia 8-3-6 Bush 10-1
12 Sarah's Sally(L),123 C Velasquez 7-1-2 Hennig 12-1
13 Our Montana Dream(L),114 J Medina 2-8-8 Lotruglio 12-1
2 b-Barefoot Babe(L),121 R Monterrey 2-5-2 Allard 6-1
1A a-Small Potatoes(L),121 E Prado 6-7-4 Lostritto 4-1
2B b-Roger's Julie(L),117 R Maragh 9-3-1 Allard 6-1

7. 6 fur(T); $31,000; clm($65,000); 2YO

LOYAL LEADER races with Lasix and shows good works on grass for career debut. Entrymate POWER BLAST drops in class after tiring in career debut. J'BOY adds blinkers and drops in class while working well after tiring in an off the turf race in career debut. Entrymate TONY MANERO tired in the slop at Monmouth in debut. SHOW THE WAY J chased the pace and tired in debut.

PN Horse Wt. Jockey Last 3 Trainer Odds
3 Unique Tune,119 R Maragh x-x-x Ritvo 12-1
4 Peteloveshisboots,119 K Desormeaux x-x-x Bizelia 12-1
1 a-J'boy(L),119 J Castellano 6-x-x Brown 6-1
5 Hammering Buckeye(L),119 J Leparoux 10-x-x Barbara 6-1
6 Always Mine,119 M Luzzi 6-6-8 AJerkens 15-1
7 Show the Way J(L),119 R Migliore 7-x-x Mott 6-1
8 Freight Forward(L),119 J Velazquez 2-4-x Hushion 8-1
2 b-Loyal Leader,119 C Velasquez x-x-x Rice 5-2
2B b-Power Blast(L),119 R Dominguez 8-x-x Rice 5-2
1A a-Tony Manero(L),119 J Lezcano 9-x-x Brown 6-1
9 Freshman Dorm,119 A Garcia x-x-x Mclaughlin 5-1
10 Tiger Willie,119 E Prado 8-5-x Miceli 15-1

8. 1 mile(T); $50,000; alw; 3up

MR. UNIVERSO drew the rail after chasing the pace and tiring this distance in local debut. FLUKE had a troubled trip and still closed to finish second by neck as the favorite. PLENTY COUPS had the lead and tired to second by a neck while going longer.

PN Horse Wt. Jockey Last 3 Trainer Odds
2 Mr.Universo(L),120 J Velazquez 8-8-10 Lobo 15-1
3 Slambino(L),120 J Castellano 5-2-7 Alexander 12-1
4 Inca King(L),123 S Bridgmohan 1-8-2 Asmussen 7-2
5 Duveen(L),120 E Prado 4-5-5 Gray 8-1
6 Yield Bogey(L),120 J Samyn 4-5-3 PKelly 6-1
7 Fluke(L),120 R Dominguez 2-4-2 Frankel 2-1
1 a-Plenty Coups(L),120 J Leparoux 2-7-6 Tagg 4-1
8 Broad River(L),120 K Desormeaux 5-3-2 Mott 8-1
1A a-Radical Sabbatical(L),120 A Garcia 3-1-3 Tagg 4-1
9 True Resurgence(L),120 R Dominguez 5-3-7 Terranova 9-5

9. 6 fur(T); $41,000; mdn; 3up(f)

BETTER THAN SWISS finished second as the favorite in all three starts since moving to the Dutrow barn. OUT NICE THEM drew rail and cuts back to sprint while switching to Dominguez for new barn. MOON DROP chased the pace and tired when adding blinkers. SYNCHRONICITY was a beaten favorite on dirt.

PN Horse Wt. Jockey Last 3 Trainer Odds
1 Out Nice Them(L),123 R Dominguez 6-5-5 Ritvo 5-1
2 Synchronicity(L),119 J Leparoux 5-9-4 Kimmel 9-2
3 Lightning Dreams(L),119 T Chang 9-6-8 Giambanco 50-1
4 Sweet Baby Blue(L),123 J Chavez 7-9-11 Quick 30-1
5 Sachem Road(L),119 J Velazquez 3-2-x Donk 6-1
6 Devilishameye(L),119 S Morales 7-9-8 Hertler 20-1
7 City Vice(L),123 R Rodriguez 6-5-5 DeMola 15-1
8 Miss Saul(L),123 E Prado 9-7-6 Carroll 20-1
9 Shes Brilliant(L),123 J Espinoza 8-8-8 JOrtiz 50-1
10 Moon Drop(L),119 E Coa 6-6-5 O'Brien 6-1
11 Better Than Swiss(L),123 R Maragh 2-2-2 ADutrow 8-5
12 Pronto Pronto(L),119 No Rider 4-x-x PKelly 6-1

 

[Lumi]

Through the binocs

Through the binocs

Through the binocs


Track was fast, turf firm. Big stakes day at Belmont tomorrow with Breeders' Cup implications: Grade 2 Futurity and Grade 2 Matron for 2-year-old colts and fillies, respectively, and Grade 3 Noble Damsel for fillies and mares on turf.

SECOND RACE: Bombs away! In field of nine 25G claimers going six furlongs on turf, Suffolk shipper Risky Gamble at 45-1 was longest shot on board under Orlando Bocachica, despite fact that three races back he won allowance sprint on grass. Sweet Bama Breeze gunned to front along rail, chased outside by Risky Gamble, who hooked Bama Breeze to duel for lead around turn. Risky Gamble took command mid-stretch, opened up, and dug in to hold off late rally of 5-2 favorite Sweet Madness, Cornelio Velasquez up. Proof we're not at Saratoga anymore: Linda Rice's Beso Del Sure, coming off score in grass dash at Old Spa, trailed throughout at 7-2.

THIRD RACE: Jardin, winner of last year's Grade 3 Schuylerville and close second in Grade 1 Spinaway when trained by Steve Asmussen, was generous 4-5 in her second start back off year's layoff for Tom Albertrani after setting pace, finishing fourth first time back at Saratoga. She cruised to front under Ramon Dominguez, then 26-1 Thunder Sword, Sebastian Morales up, gunned after her to duel around turn. Turning for home, with Jardin well off rail, 5-2 Aunt Mabel made an inside bid, but Jardin angled in, opened up and galloped home in effort that suggests she's regaining her stakes form.

FIFTH RACE: Non Compete (by Yonaguska), 2-year-old colt debuting for John Kimmel barn, was dismissed at 15-1 off steady if not spectacular work tab, set pace pressed by U Boat Alley, opened up top of stretch, drew clear. Second juvenile maiden winner for Kimmel in two days here; seventh winner since Saratoga meet began for Eibar Coa, winningest rider in NY in 2006 and 2007.

SIXTH RACE: Going mile on Widener course, looked like upset city again for a while. Jersey-bred gelding Holly Holly, 66-1 trying turf for first time after he was beaten 22 lengths sprinting on dirt at Monmouth, broke on top under Raymundo Fuentes, then took back to sit second as Right of Way came through along rail to set pace. Holly Holly bid again turning for home to take command top of stretch, was still going strong mid-stretch when 9-2 Midnite Silver blew by under Ramon Dominguez. Swinging Bernie, 2-1 favorite with Rajiv Maragh up, finished with good energy but moved too late, settled for second. Holly Holly hung in for third.

EIGHTH RACE: Can 2008 2-year-old champ Midshipman win today's third race, his first start back since taking the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last Oct. 25? The way the Godolphin horses have been running this summer, why not? Here, going seven furlongs on lawn, Godolphin's Fateh Field, 3-1 running back five days after finishing second in allowance at Presque Isle Downs, came flying to get up late under Jean-Luc Samyn; first win in four U.S. starts for the 4-year-old gelding, whose only previous victory came in an Oct. 2007 maiden race in England.

PICK SIX

Winning numbers: 3-8-6-6-9-8

6 winners each receives $17,881

228 cons. (5 of 6) winners paid $111.50

No carryover